Page 11 - IB July 2021

Covid and Creatives Covid and Creatives

Twitter introduced Space, an online talanoa room. Marrying
this technology with the concept of solesolevaki (an iTaukei
approach of achieving goals collectively), Tokailagi, Epeli
Tuibeqa and Dan Matanimeke host artists who perform from
the comfort of their homes while listeners are encouraged to
“fakawela” or tip the singer or group.
Their Twitter space was christened Spacejam. The trio are
supported by University of the South Pacific (USP) student
Josefa Teleni who designs posters promoting the artists, fea-
turing money transfer details. Within three months of starting
by July 2021, Spacejam surpassed the FJ$40K mark (US$19K).
With an average of two groups per week, Spacejam is booked
until December.
None of the organisers benefit financially from Spacejam.
“It is not about the money so much now. Spacejam has
become a family, an online community,” Tokailagi told a panel
on Leveraging Technology for All at the regional virtual Pacific
Resilience Meeting earlier this month. “It gives people a sense
of community, of belonging, especially for the diaspora.”

New pathways
For visual artists, things are not so simple. Artists are being
pushed to innovate and must be willing to experiment at one’s
cost.
Sonny Misiolo Sofe and Sherina Usenia Bulabalavu are based
in Nadi and their tattoo and art business Yanuyanu Tatau was
doing so well pre-COVID, they could not provide for walk-
ins. The sustained border closure has however, crippled their
business. Sonny has returned to the canvas and carving, but Tattoo artist Sonny Misiolo Sofe at work
he says “the reality of this thing is not being able to deal with
the rent, with putting food on the table - an issue that which
I’m pretty sure every other artist on the island is having dif-
ficulties to meet at the moment”.
Bulabalavu said they have joined other visual artists to right now.
revive the Viti Association of Visual Artists (VAVA). This will be “VOU is definitely going onto the digital platform,” Miller
the platform they use to advance their interests collectively said. “Artists are so flexible, like water – we just adapt to
but for now: “We are sceptical about the borders reopen- whatever the situation is. We are used to difficult circum-
ing, it’s so risky. Every day I spend the day thinking, how and stances. Everyone’s pausing, re-thinking, re-evaluating
where will the next one (meal) come from. Sonny can paint everything,” Miller said. She is also hosting five interns paid
but then it becomes about how many people are left out for by the Urban Pathways: Fiji. Youth. Culture initiative. The
there who can buy art”. interns are a godsend she says, preparing VOU to transition
Josateki Nailati started writing songs when he was 13, and to digital platforms, which takes more planning when you are
already has a single on iTunes. While his parents support shifting a live show into the digital world.
his musical aspirations, they insist he complete a tertiary VOU has dabbled and has a few episodes of their Island
qualification, so he is currently writing his thesis (USP, Biol- Adventurers Show on youtube.com. “I hope it makes kids curi-
ogy). Nailati’s session on Spacejam in June raised $1600.00. ous, encourage kids to have fun and go exploring. Next year
“The money went into my tuition fees and upcoming music I’m going to focus on the digital stuff. So many of us had our
project,” he said. “Music in Fiji is definitely shifting towards eggs in the tourism basket and obviously that went sideways.”
a more digital-based platform although we don’t have all the The industry and experiences for audiences has changed
necessary organisations to call it a successful music industry significantly but one thing has stood out through this, the
yet, I believe we’ll get there soon. sheer determination and passion of artists to perform, and the
Sachiko Soro of VOU, an established contemporary dance need for audiences across Fiji to be given the opportunity to
group says VOU dancers are getting by with a salary for two watch, listen, engage and to create art. When the country has
days a week, which Soro complements with vegetables and become the global leader in per capita cases of COVID-19, we
eggs from backyard gardening. Soro is doing some work with need art more than ever.
the United Nations, teaching business development planning
to 25 students representing 13 dance companies: a lifeline editor@islandsbusiness.com

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